Of Tettey’s challenge, which infuriated Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas, Coleman said: “I saw the Norwich striker try to cut him in half on the halfway line and I saw Baley stay on his feet – nothing was said about that.

“People are always on about Baley diving but what about some of the heavy challenges that he gets hit with. Nobody ever says anything about that.”

Tottenham manager Andre Villas Boas was incensed by the challenge that went before the Cardiff born winger's 31st goal for the club and made his feelings know to referee Neil Swarbrick.

He said: "It was a beautiful goal but he was extremely lucky to avoid Tettey's challenge, which could have broken his ankle,"

"I'm extremely disappointed he didn't get a yellow or red card. You have to protect the unpredictability, passion and emotion of the British game but you have to be aware that, if people go over the top, players like Gareth could get an injury that takes him out for six months. I showed the referee my disappointment. I'm extremely disappointed with that incident."

"Obviously pushing and shoving and duels are in the nature of the game but sometimes it gets over the top. It looks like you don't want to referee this situation because you don't really know what is happening, so you just let the game go on and pretend that a couple of fouls are part of the game. But I don't think that is so.

“There's such a discrepancy of refereeing styles.

“Credit to them because they bring passion to this league by letting the game go on but sometimes it's just over the top."

Watch: Gareth Bale's amazing goal

Norwich manager, Chris Hughton, admitted his shock at Villas-Boas' anger by praising Bale, saying: "I'm surprised by that," he said. "There didn't seem to be much wrong with [Bale] as he went past everyone."

After naming the 23-year-old in his Wales squad to face Austria at the Liberty Stadium next week, Coleman said: “The goal didn’t surprise me.

“I’ve seen it time and time again from Gareth. It was a quality goal from a super player."